8.Sir Salvatore

[ SALVATORE’S POV ]

The moment Iris stepped into the study everything else became noise .

Maps. Contract . Old men pretending this was about peace instead of power . I barely heard my father speak . I barely saw Sofia in her white dress , smiling like she’d won something. 

Iris stood by the window, half- hidden , dressed in black like a sin no one wanted to name . Her pulse gave her away . I could see fear in her throat. Fear , anger , heat . All for me .

When the pen slid across the desk , I didn’t reach for it . I let the silence stretched until Lorenzo shifted in his seat. Until he remembered who controlled it, who controlled the room, and the deal.  

“ The estate is compromised, " I said calmly,” if I can walk  your hall unnoticed anyone can. Right Iris?” I asked intentionally , making her uneasy . She needs to know who is in charge. Not Sofia and definitely not her father.

Iris's eyes snapped to mine . Fear flashed. She looked at her father, then her sister.

“ You were in the library ?” Her father asked , and the way he talks to my girl makes me want to draw blood from his veins. No one , I mean no one gets to talk to her like that . The only man who gets to hurt her is me.

“ Looking for a book , I didn't see anyone , not the guards, not sir Salvatore.

My head snapped to her side, the way the word sir rolled off of her lips sent a jolt to my dick. All the hair in my body stands at her command. I gave her a look, telling her I would love to hear her call me sir again. When it’s just the two of us. Then I will show her how much effect the word has on me .

“ precisely,” I said calmly,” if I can get in, assassins can get in too.” 

I stopped talking, letting my words wash over them. Letting it sink for all in the room to hear.

“ Starting tonight , my personal security details will guard every door . Every window . Every… member of this household.” I said looking at my little mouse, the only life I am concerned about. The only one that matters.

“ we have our own guards,” Lorenzo backed 

My hand slammed onto the desk , the sound like a gunshot in the small room .” My bride- to-be must be protected. And her sister. Especially her sister, she's a flight risk , delicate , isn’t she Lorenzo ? We wouldn’t want her to get lost before the wedding right?” As if I care if Sofia dies or not, but Iris must be under my watch. Seeing her from afar was not enough, I need her with me, as much as I can get before I go insane.

“ Fine,” Lorenzo grunted ,” Add the clause . And don’t forget you will also be in the estate as per tradition.”

“  Yes , I am going to be in this household as per tradition Lorenzo. Making sure everything and everyone is in order.” Making sure Iris is in order I murmured under my breath.

I added the clause without looking at the paper . My men at every entrance. Every camera reporting to me . Every Russo under my watch and protection. Especially her.

When I signed , I pressed hard enough to scar the wood beneath. A reminder, contracts were only ink , ownership was carved.

After the signing. And everything was done. I left the room. As I passed Iris I let my shoulder brush her, just enough to remind her that I was always close.

I left after telling her to check her balcony. Have already instructed my men to install cameras in her room before the meeting.

The war was over. The hunt had begun.

————-

My guards were already everywhere as soon as I stepped out of the study. They were already in position even before the alliance meeting was concluded. The meeting had gone exactly as expected. Lorenzo Russo was a greedy man . Power-hungry. Predictable. Getting him to agree to the new clause had been almost laughably easy. Men like him would trade their souls for relevance.

A tablet waited on the desk. I picked it up without hesitation and turned it on. The feed loaded instantly. Iris’s room.

Iris stepped into the room, and the first thing my little mouse did was to scan her room. Her gaze swept the space with quiet precision, sharp and quick, until her eyes landed on the camera.

Her face filled the screen , and as always , the sight of her did one thing , kept me sane . Away from war. Away from craving bloodshed, and I would kill to be here. Right with her. 

Most people thought she was shy . Obedient. Easy to overlook.

They were fools. I knew better. She was observant. Calculating. Dangerous in a way she didn’t even realize yet. Exactly why she belongs to my side. The only woman capable of warming my bed and cooling the constant hunger for war and blood that lived in my chest.

As she looked at the camera. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look confused.

She stared straight into the lens, eyes steady , unblinking, like she had been waiting for it. For me . It felt like she was looking into my soul searching for answers , lightning something dark and restless in me .

Her lips curved , not quite a smile. Then she lifted her hand. Her middle finger rose slowly. Deliberately. 

She mouthed the  word slowly. FUCK YOU.

A low breath escaped me , as I leaned back my head falling against the chair.

Christ.

Iris was sent to ruin me , and she was doing a perfect job for it.

That single gesture , those lips , that defiance , went straight through me . I closed my eyes, forcing my breath steady . Trying to quiet the noise in my head . The call for violence . For possession.

I had looked at her to calm myself . Instead she sent my entire being straight to hell. Where I should be . Ruling as the king.

A simple word that raised the meat in my trouser. I look down and fuck . It’s so hard and I was throbbing. I need a cold shower or I would be in Iris’s room. Went against my plan and took her right now and then.

A knock hit the door. Once . And it opened before I answered. Sofia walked in . 

I set the tablet down trying to put my anger under control.

“  What do you want?” I asked.

She didn’t waste time pretending.” We’re engaged now, which means you can have me however you want. You don’t need to hold back anymore.”

She walked slowly to me biting her lips. I watched her place her hand on my chest , I didn't stop her . It’s not bad to flash her what she would never get. Is it?.

Her hands went to my pants and she gasped, happy with what she felt, what she would never get to take inside of her.

 Even though her hand was on big salva.  I couldn’t feel anything . Not a jolt, not excitement. How can someone be annoyingly plain? I scoffed inwardly.

“ Is this for me, Oh my. I didn’t know I had so much effect on you. I was scared you’re not into me yesterday or you didn’t find me attractive.”

She moved away from me a little. Her hand on the strap of her gown trying to pull it down with her.

“Let your dress hit the floor. And your head would be the next thing that follows. I believe the Russo family gave me their most valuable. Or was that a mistake? What I want is a woman of value, Sofia. Class and dignity. One I thought was so far from you.

Tears slipped from her face  and she took a step back from me.

“ We’re engaged and I’m trying to make your stay here enjoyable before the final engagement party and wedding. What was so bad about that, Salvatore?” 

“ Then strip, take off your and let me see if what you have there will be able to impress me . Who knows. Maybe I will let you have a taste of big Salva.” I replied to her tilting my head to the side with my signature devilish smirk on my lips.